Brownlow Medal 2026 LIVE updates: Daicos, Bontempelli and Smith frontrunners to take out league’s best and fairest

Zach Merrett would be a welcome addition at Hawthorn in more ways than one.

Apart from adding some class to the Hawks’ midfield if he can manage a trade from Essendon, he could also add some class to the side’s post-match behaviour – yes, we are looking at you hotheads James Sicily and Tom Barrass.

During the red carpet photo shoot tonight, Merrett took the time to smooth out his wife Alexandra’s blue dress – it had an impressive train – before posing for pictures.

He’s always held himself well, our Zach, and we can’t imagine him unleashing a barrage of abuse towards the umpires after a game – yes, we are looking at you hotheads James and Tom.

Surely, we avoid the blunder of last year when it comes to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s round-17 game against Essendon? He was out of control, racking up 46 disposals and kicking a goal against the Bombers in the July 5 clash at Marvel Stadium. That’s a walk-up three-vote game in anyone’s book. Even the umpires’.

For those who can remember – and, really, how could you forget? – Wanganeen-Milera was overlooked for his one-man demolition of Melbourne in round 20 last year, despite being the architect of a 46-point, last-quarter comeback. He had 34 disposals, kicked four goals, and had nine score involvements and six clearances. All that for two votes. We kid you not. Instead, the best-on-ground nod was given to Jack Viney, who had 23 disposals and booted one goal.

Not that the St Kilda midfielder will get close to Daicos tonight. He played in only eight winning games and, by our calculations, that won’t be enough.

We’ll be sure to single out any similar stuff-ups tonight, so stay tuned.

Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos is the hottest of hot favourites to win his first Brownlow Medal tonight.

The 23-year-old was greeted by a media scrum on the red carpet a little earlier, with journalists eager to hear from the man who could soon become the Magpies’ 10th winner.

The star midfielder was joined by partner Arlette Amor, and arrived at the same time as brother Josh and fiancee Annalise Dalins.

Nick Daicos said he was “super excited” for the ceremony but feeling “pretty relaxed” about the potential outcome.

As for what it’s like heading into football’s night of nights as the undisputed top-pick, Daicos simply said, “I’m taking it all in my stride.”

A tick before 7pm several of the invited Swans players – those that received an invite to attend this year’s Brownlow were Charlie Curnow, Dane Rampe, Brodie Grundy, Logan McDonald and Tom McCartin – started to drift into the ballroom and find their table.

Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich arrived at his table just minutes before the first of his players appeared. The club’s head coach, Dean Cox, was already seated.

Of course, the Swans’ star midfielders Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner were banned from attending the Brownlow count in the wake of their participation in a boozy night at the Pullman Hotel last month, along with three other players from the club. The Swans are still eligible to win the Brownlow, though.

Hot favourite Nick Daicos has been in good company today ahead of tonight’s Brownlow Medal count, which is expected to start around 8pm.

The Magpie superstar enjoyed lunch with 2016 winner Patrick Dangerfield – as well as his manager Robbie D’Orazio. But sorry, Robbie, we are more interested in what “Danger” had to say.

“He was actually really good to speak to,” Daicos told Channel 7 on the red carpet. “He has won one obviously and said, ‘Just be yourself, have fun and if it is to be, it will be’.”

Another player of interest on the red carpet was Hawks skipper James Sicily, who copped a $10,000 misconduct fine for umpire abuse following Saturday night’s heartbreaking loss to Brisbane.

Sicily told Seven his post-match behaviour was “not on” and he would seek out umpire Hayden Meyer during the night to apologise. Good to see the Hawk leader is owning his poor behaviour.